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Vancouver Canucks Outlook, Predictions Week #18: Back At It

By David Joun

Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller (30) guards the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller (30) guards the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Canucks
Jan 30, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Pacific Division forward Taylor Hall (40) of the Edmonton Oilers and Pacific Division forward Daniel Sedin (22) of the Vancouver Canucks talk before the 2016 NHL All Star Game Skills Competition at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bottomline

This is an important week for the Canucks. Not just on the ice but off the ice as well.

I say, two wins this week and the Canucks are more likely to be in the playoffs than not. Also, I say that if the Canucks make the right trades with Brandon Prust and Yannick Weber that their season is more of a win than a loss. It is going to be very defining week in the Canucks’ season.

Nothing about the Canucks stands out as a contender right now. Every game is a journey of its own, so unsure of who will be able to do this and who won’t be able to do that. That’s why goaltending is going to have to step up like it has the last month. This team needs time to gel — with more changes coming for sure — and the netminders will have to be the backbone of it all.

However, that forward group I drew up against the Blue Jackets does seem legitimate — save a couple middle-six wingers. It will be Jim Benning’s job to somehow establish a solid middle-six to replace Radim Vrbata and Alex Burrows before long.

Next: Canucklehead Lament: How to Perfect the Youth Movement

And that does it for this week’s outlook and predictions. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and find us on Facebook and Twitter! Thanks for reading!

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